These are the two legal exceptions to allow people from disqualified countries to participate in the United States visa lottery

The United States government raffles more than 50,000 green cards for permanent residency each year. If you win the visa lottery and all requirements are met, your husband or wife and your unmarried children under the age of 21 will also receive your green card, says attorney Julio Oyhanarte, an expert on immigration issues.

However, countries not participating in the 2025 visa lottery are: Brazil, Bangladesh, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South -Korea, Vietnam and Venezuela.

Countries with an exodus to the United States of more than 50,000 people in the past five years are excluded.

If you’re from one of these countries, don’t be so easily disappointed. There are alternatives to evaluate, lawyer Oyhanarte says.

Legal exceptions

According to Oyhanarte that is so two legal exceptions that could be helpful. Here they are detailed:

Everything you need to know about the 2025 visa lottery

Who is eligible for the Visa Lottery 2025?

In La Nación they recall, citing the official website of the US government, that if a foreigner wants to win the green card, he:

• Be a citizen of a country with a low immigration rate to the United States.

• Have at least two years of work experience, within the last five years, in an eligible occupation.

• Have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education, or the equivalent.

Requirements to obtain the green card

The most important, says lawyer Julio Oyhanarte, are:

Keep this important information in mind offered by lawyer Oyhanarte: According to official statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, every year 40% of applicants are disqualified due to errors in the form, requirements or photo.

(JO)